In this two-part season, we’ll explore how conversations about sex, gender, and sex work have evolved at SAIC over the years. Our first episode recounts the story of SAIC’s first residence hall — the original Playboy mansion — and poses some of the questions we can ask now, as artists and students.

SAIC Beat

S05E01 - Why did SAIC students live in a former Playboy mansion?

When the U.S. put sanctions on Syria in December of 2019, Sami Ismat (MFA 2020) questioned this sequence of events through a performance that brought participants into the mind of a whistleblower. In this final episode of Season 4, Sami explains why exposing injustice is not always foolproof.

S04E03 - Sami Ismat on the consequences of whistleblowing

MFA first year Zhisheng Wu describes a project he worked on with residents of a shantytown in Southern China to preserve their memories after the demolition and reconstruction of their home. His sculpture, titled Message Wall, combined the bricks from the fallen town and the dreams and wishes of its residents into a single form to honor the community’s roots.   To learn more about Zhisheng's work visit http://www.wuzhisheng.art/  

S04E02 - Zhisheng Wu on destruction and preservation

Artist, researcher and School of the Art Institute of Chicago Art Education professor Nicole Marroquín describes a critical moment of activism among Black and Latinx Chicago youth in the early 1970s — the Harrison and Froebel High School student uprisings, which were a grassroots response to racial injustice in the city’s public education system and beyond. Background music in this episode includes: “Backed Vibes” and “Study and Relax” by Kevin Macleod    

S04E01 - Nicole Marroquín on the power of rebel youth

Vincent's Stories: 1. Prior to the 1988 Olympics, the city of Calgary ran an essay contest, the winner of which would run a leg of the Olympic torch relay. Vincent's older brother won, and his egalitarian parents ensured that all Elliott siblings got to run the torch. 2. Ai Weiwei once sent Vincent a photo of his (Ai's) cat. 3. A pro-pineapple regular of Orlando's in Lexington, KY, Vincent's ardor led the restaurant to name a pizza after him. Which is real? Which is straight-up, old-fashioned malarky? Listen to find out! Possible band names arising from our conversation: Election Interference Ai Weiwei's Cat The Chad(s)

S03E03 - Two Lies & A Truth: Vincent Elliott

Brontë's stories: 1. At 14, her likeness landed on a Japanese billboard 2. While shopping for a tartan bag, met someone whose famous ancestor killed her famous ancestor 3. Got dumped at a military ball in an English castle Which is honest? Which are deceitful, falsehood-laden subterfuge? Click play to find out! Possible band names arising from our conversation: The On-Again, Off-Again Boyfriends Naval Rave Illegal Tweed

S03E02 - Two Lies & A Truth: Brontë Mansfield

Anna's stories: 1. Introduced to Canada by a moose in heat 2. Followed on Twitter by Coco Peru, drag queen extraordinaire 3. Rescued from a sewer grate by power-drill-touting dad Which one is the truth? Which two are dirty, dirty lies? Listen to find out! Possible band names arising from our conversation: 1. Normal Dads 2. The Meese Have Eyes 3. Tension Tamer

S03E01 - Two Lies & A Truth: Anna Godfrey

Laura Meyer (MFA 2021, Writing) dreamed of being the first female in Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. After touring internationally under the stage name Cygne for more than a decade, she wearied of the road, and decided to make a change. Laura tells us the story of her Dylanesque origins, the ecstasy and desolation of the road, and what you do when you're at risk of outliving your dream. Laura's songs in this episode (check out Cygne on Spotify): "Scars," from Passenger (2015) "Miracles" and "All Roads" from Let it Breathe (Softly) (2017)

S02E03 - Making It: Laura Meyer

What do Diogenes, Frank Sinatra, and Phillip Corner have in common? Simon Anderson, associate professor in SAIC's Art History department, weaves them — and many others — into a wide-ranging challenge to the idea of "making it."

S02E02 - Making It: Simon Anderson

Janet Desaulniers, co-creator of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)'s MFA Writing program, received a contract to publish a short story collection at the ripe old age of 25. The book, titled What You've Been Missing, ended up taking 20 years to publish. We talk with Janet about the thrills and perils of early success — of making it before you've made yourself.

S02E01 - Making It: Janet Desaulniers

By the time she was 16, Tricia Park was a professional violinist. Labeled and marketed as a child prodigy, teenage Tricia toured constantly, playing 70-80 concerts a year. But when, in her early 20s, she aged out of the "child prodigy" range, concert numbers decreased, and she was faced with a major, unforeseen transition. In this episode, we explore the many ways she has adapted to post-child-prodigy life, including her MFA thesis, a novel exploring her Korean heritage. Music in this episode: Violin Sonata No. 18 in G Major K. 301, 1st Movement - Mozart Performed by Tricia Park (violin) and Conor Hanick (piano) Source: Tricia's YouTube channel   Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor BWV 1001, Adagio - Bach Performed by Tricia Park (violin) and recorded exclusively for SAIC Beat   “Red Prairie Dawn” and “Sandy Boys” - Traditional Performed by Tricia & Taylor, violin/fiddle duo composed of Tricia Park and Taylor Morris Source: Tricia & Taylor’s YouTube Channel

S01E03 - Tricia Park: Virtuosity vs. Voice

Jill DeGroot (MA 2020, New Arts Journalism) wanted to be a marine — well, she wanted to play flute in the U.S. Marine Corps band. Early in her life, playing flute gave Jill sense of fulfillment, which gave rise to a passion and competitiveness for the instrument in and out of school band. For many years, Jill considered the flute her "calling," but while studying flute at DePaul University, disillusionment set in. The last few years have seen Jill shift from traditional classical music to the ultra-contemporary New Discipline, and also to journalism, which she uses to commemorate ephemeral concert experiences. Jill's story suggests that a "calling" has as much to do with what life wants from you as what you want from life. Featuring "Throw Me To You And Back Again" by Jesse Marino, performed by Riley Leitch and Jill DeGroot. Audio courtesy of the artists. Learn more about: SAIC F Newsmagazine C a c o p h o n y

S01E02 - Jill Degroot: Fl(a)utists Anonymous

School of the Art Institute of Chicago undergrad Emma Collins (BFA 2019) recounts her experience balancing two kinds of studio work — art school and indie rock. Emma's schoolwork is a blend of fibers, fashion, and performance, and she also plays a myriad of roles in the Chicago-based outfit Jungle Green. Helmed by songwriter Andrew Smith, Jungle Green accounts for themselves on Bandcamp thus: "VARIETY = INFINITE POSSIBILITIES." Jungle Green Songs in the Episode: 1:30 — "All My Life" listen/buy 4:28 — "I Love You, Ooo Ooo" listen/buy 8:34 — "Happiness" listen/buy Learn more about: SAIC F Newsmagazine Jungle Green Lemon Twigs

S01E01 - Emma Collins: Law of the Jungle (Green)

F Newsmagazine's Dustin Lowman (MFA 2020, Writing) and Luis Lopez Levi (MA 2020, New Arts Journalism) profile specific students whose work revolves around a common theme.